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Next Step Grassroots Training

Next Step Grassroots Training. When we talk about making a difference in Government, we first have to know how Government works. Local Governments. What types? What do they do? Who is involved?. Types. City Council County Commission School District Board of Trustees.

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Next Step Grassroots Training

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  1. Next StepGrassroots Training

  2. When we talk about making a difference in Government, we first have to know how Government works.

  3. Local Governments • What types? • What do they do? • Who is involved?

  4. Types • City Council • County Commission • School District Board of Trustees

  5. Other Taxing Entities • Emergency Service Districts • Community College Districts • Municipal Utility Districts

  6. City Government • Responsible for: • Municipal safety • Roads • Trash collection • Water/Sewage lines • Land use

  7. City Council • Who: • Mayor • Council Members • City Attorney • City Manager • City Secretary

  8. City Boards and Departments • Planning and Zoning Commission • Parks and Recreation • Library • Metropolitan Planning Organization • Engineering • Finance • Police and Fire • Municipal Court

  9. County Government • Responsible for: • County roads • County land use • County Law enforcement

  10. Commissioners Court • Who: • County Judge • County Commissioners

  11. Other Elected Officials • Sheriff • Tax Assessor-Collector • Justices of the Peace • Constables • County Clerk • County Treasurer • District Judges • District Attorney

  12. School District Board • Responsible for: • Budget/ISD Tax Rate • Selecting Superintendent • Curriculum/Textbooks • Bond Elections

  13. School Districts • Who: • Superintendent • Board of Trustees • School Administrators

  14. Next StepGrassroots Training

  15. Research • Who are your elected officials? • What does their voting record look like? • What is the debt incurred to date? • Places to find information, newspapers, internet search engines …

  16. How to Find Information • Meetings • Government Resources • Media Resources

  17. Meetings

  18. Sample Council Agenda

  19. Sample Council Agenda

  20. Sample Council Agenda

  21. Government Resources

  22. www.cstx.gov

  23. www.co.brazos.tx.us

  24. www.csisd.org

  25. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/snapshot/

  26. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/adhocrpt/adpea.html

  27. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

  28. http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

  29. http://www.google.com/alerts

  30. Opposition Research • Who are your potential opponents? • What are their points of views on your issue? • What have they said on your issue? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of their points of view?

  31. Opposition Research • What will they do? What are their potential tactics? • What do they think about your group?

  32. Next StepGrassroots Training

  33. Using the Information You Get • Testimony at taxing entity hearings • Communicating with Legislators • Talking to the Press • Public Speeches to Groups • E-mail Updates to Volunteers • Web Site Postings

  34. Why you NEED to use the internet: Communication with members Expose govt. corruption Take message to the media Using the Internet and New Media

  35. A number of websites offer free blog setup and hosting. Several good ones include: http://www.wordpress.com http://www.blogger.com http://www.tumblr.com Using the Internet and New Media

  36. Social Networking • – www.facebook.com • – www.twitter.com • – www.meetup.com • – www.flickr.com • – www.youtube.com

  37. How to pitch your website to journalists: Do your homework on the journalist you want to pitch to: Have they ever worked with bloggers? What beat to they cover? When was the last time they wrote a story? What was the last story about? Have they ever written about your issue?            New Media and Old Media

  38. Getting Your Message OutCommunications Strategy & Message Develop relationship with press Develop relationships with any “friendlies” you have found in the taxing authorities. Identify local radio talk shows.

  39. Working With The MediaPrepare, Prepare, Prepare • Research the Issue • Develop Media Lists • Write a Press Release • Be honest!

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